Kalachakra Ngondro Program | MODULE 2: Connecting with the Jonang-Kalachakra Lineage
ONLINE. This program will be in English. We will not be able to offer live translations in any other language, however, we can offer access to the practice texts in various languages. Please send in your registration at the bottom as soon as you decide to register so that we can plan accordingly.
You can still register and have access to the recordings of the first sessions. Later registration and start is possible because the sessions are recorded. Moreover, there are no prerequisites for Module 2. You can register directly even if you did not participate in Module 1. In case you want to have access to the previous Module 1, please write to [email protected]
About the KALACHAKRA NGONDRO PROGRAM
The Kalachakra Ngondro Program is a 2-year long program created for students who want to deepen themselves in the Kalachakra Path in a structured, step-by-step guided process.
The Ngondro — also called the “Preliminary Practices” — prepares you to uncover your own Buddha nature. If you want to completely unveil this perfect nature, the Kalachakra Ngondro prepares you for the very subtle and profound yogic practices of the Completion Stage called the ‘Six Vajra Yogas’ of the Kalachakra Tantra. You can benefit by doing the Kalachakra Ngondro even if you do not aspire to engage in serious meditation practices of the Kalachakra Completion Stage in this lifetime.
Shar Khentrul Rinpoché offers a flexible approach in order to embrace a variety of practitioners because being fixed on only one traditional way may not be a match for everyone. Developing familiarization with the Kalachakra Ngondro practices can be adjusted individually according to your own personal inclination.
Rafa Lobsang Dorje from Kalapa received 2018 Rinpoché’s encouragement to teach the Kalachakra Ngondro and will kindly lead this program. In addition to that, Rinpoché, along with other senior students, may occasionally participate in a few sessions from modules 1 – 9 if time permits.
Requirements
The program is open to all. There are no formal prerequisites for Modules 1-7.
Although we encourage step-by-step participation, you are allowed to directly register for any module (except modules 8 and 9).
Generally speaking, the Kalachakra Ngondro Program is for you if you wish for long-term and regular support in your dharma practice, regardless if you are starting now or if you have been practicing previously. More specifically, modules 1-7 are shaped to help you prepare for receiving the 1st set of Kalachakra Empowerments (“Seven Empowerments of a Growing Child”), also known as the Kalachakra Initiation, and for receiving in the future the “Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments” if you so aspire. That being said, you are more than welcome to just drop in to make a first connection and see how the practice reverberates with you—in this case, the modules 1-4 may be more suitable.
We encourage all new participants to get a copy of Shar Khentrul Rinpoché’s books; Unveiling Your Sacred Truth, The Hidden Treasure of the Profound Path and the Practice Book The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga, as these will be the main references for our program.
Optionally, in case you are waiting for the module to start, you are encouraged to read Rinpoché’s other books, such as Ocean of Diversity and The Realm of Shambhala.
Structure of the Modules
The program follows the structure of the Kalachakra Path as presented by the Jonang-Kalachakra Tradition of Tibetan Buddhsim. It is divided into Outer Preliminaries (2 modules), Inner Preliminaries (5 modules), and Unique Preliminaries (2 modules).
Each module includes a weekend-webinar of teachings and practice led by an authorized Ngongdro Teacher and by practices guided by other senior students approved by Rinpoché, followed by two group practice sessions of ca. 90 min. each and one Dharma discussion session where questions can be addressed to the Ngondro Teacher and where you can exchange with other participants. The schedule of the weekend-webinar may vary slightly from module to module.
Details for MODULE 2
Connecting with the Jonang-Kalachakra Lineage
Weekend Webinar: 5th – 7th January
VIENNA TIME (CET)
FRIDAY 5th January 18.30 – 20.00
SATURDAY 6th January 10.00 – 11.30 14.00 – 15:30 18.30 – 20.00
SUNDAY 7th January 10.00 – 11.30
+ 2 Practice Sessions (Wednesdays: January 10h and 17th, 18.30 – 20:00)
+ Homework
+ 1 Group Discussion on Wednesday 24th January (18.30 – 20.00)
DESCRIPTION:
This is the practice of developing awareness of the lineage masters through whom the Kalachakra teachings have been transmitted since the time of the Buddha. We will learn about the Jonang-Kalachakra lineage and the origins of the Kalachakra in Shambhala. We will then learn visualizations and prayers to these realized masters in order to draw inspiration from the sacred unbroken transmission. The main purpose is to fill the mind with devotion towards the lineage and inspire us to follow in their footsteps.
Such a lineage is authentic when it is based on real experience or realization of the truth of those teachings. This experiential knowledge is handed down from Vajra Master to student over many generations along with the transmission of authentic commentaries or scriptures based on the words of the Buddha. Without a firm connection and commitment to an authentic lineage, we cannot realize the final aim of full enlightenment.
Registration
Register below. Before the module starts, please make sure to send an e-mail to [email protected] briefly answering the following questions (only in case you did not yet send them when registering for another previous module). Your registration will be automatic and do not depend on the answers provided. The questions below are just for us shaping the module to registered participants.
1. What are your Motivations for participating in this program? What are your goals?
2. Do you have the intention to attend (part of) the program in-person or all online-only?
3. Do you have the aspiration to participate in more than one module or in all of the modules?
4. Are you a student of Shar Khentrul Rinpoché? If yes, which online empowerment(s), retreat(s) or course(s) have you completed with Rinpoché or with one of his authorized Teachers? Please include details about them, including dates etc. if applicable.
5. This program is open also to beginners. You can join even if you never practiced any spiritual path at all. Just in case you have something to share about your previous spiritual path, including both Buddhist Studies or Practices and from other traditions as well, please write them in a summarized form, if applicable.
6. Do you have any specific questions or doubts about the Kalachakra Ngondro Program?